Is a grandparent scam call common and how does it work?
Grandparent scams are extremely common. A caller pretends to be a grandchild (or their lawyer) in an emergency and asks for money urgently before the family finds out.
Last reviewed: 1 August 2026
Explanation
Grandparent scams exploit the bond between older adults and their grandchildren. The caller may say 'Grandma, it's me — I'm in trouble, don't tell Mum'. If the grandparent suggests a name, the scammer confirms it and builds the rest of the call around it. The story involves a car accident, arrest, or medical emergency requiring immediate bail, legal fees, or hospital payment, and a second 'lawyer' or 'police officer' may also call to add legitimacy.
Every element of the script serves a purpose. The secrecy request ('don't tell Mum and Dad') removes the family members most likely to spot the fraud. The urgency prevents reflection. The relay to a 'professional' voice explains away any oddness in the grandchild's voice and adds authority to the payment instructions. Payment is requested by gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or — increasingly — a courier who comes to the door to collect cash, and AI voice cloning has made the opening moments of these calls far more convincing than they used to be.
The single most reliable defence is a family code word that any caller must provide in an emergency, agreed in advance and never posted anywhere. The second is a standing family rule: no money moves in response to any phone emergency until the grandchild has been reached directly on their own number. Real emergencies survive a ten-minute verification; scams do not.
Common red flags
- Caller hints at identity, then confirms whatever name you suggest
- Extreme urgency and request for secrecy from other family members
- Money demanded by gift card, wire transfer, or cash via a courier
- Voice sounds slightly different but explains it with injury or stress
What to do now
- Hang up and call the grandchild directly on their known number
- Ask a personal question only the real grandchild would know
- Do not give money or gift cards to any courier
- Report the call to police and your national fraud service
Frequently asked questions
What is the best protection for an elderly relative who lives alone?
Agree on a secret family code word that must be used in any phone emergency. Also register their number with your national call-blocking service to reduce scam call volume.
Why do the callers insist on secrecy from the rest of the family?
Because another family member is the most likely person to break the spell — by calling the real grandchild or recognising the script. The secrecy demand protects the scam, not the grandchild, and is itself a reliable red flag.
A courier is coming to collect money. What should we do?
Do not hand anything over, and call the police — a cash courier confirms an organised operation working your area. Note any descriptions safely, but do not confront anyone; let officers handle the collection attempt.